Ellen DeGeneres & The Night Johnny Carson Made Her A Star

Believe it or not, Ellen DeGeneres just celebrated her 60th birthday. Sadly, that puts her at the tail end of a generation of comedians who had their lives changed by an American legend: Johnny Carson. For decades, getting a slot on Carson’s Tonight Show was a “make it or break it” moment for young comics. A thumbs-up from him would make you a star; getting invited over to the couch would make you a legend. DeGeneres made it onto that stage on November 28, 1986, and it’s a night she will never, ever forget. (Click on the media bar below to hear Ellen DeGeneres)

In addition to her syndicated daytime show, DeGeneres is hosting Ellen’s Game of Games, airing Tuesday nights at 8/7c on NBC